There is a growing understanding that fertility and family building benefits are a must-have in an employee benefits package. About 88% of workers would consider switching jobs for fertility benefits.
But it’s not just employees in the U.S who are looking for this kind of support, said Lian Neeman, global director of benefits at Amazon, an online retail giant. That’s why the company announced Tuesday that it tapped virtual reproductive health company Maven Clinic to provide fertility and family building support to its employees across 50 countries. Amazon was already offering fertility and family building benefits to its employees in the U.S. and Canada (including from fertility benefits administrator Progyny), but wanted to offer these services globally.
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“After hearing great feedback from employees in those countries, we decided to find a global partner to expand our family-building benefits in 50 countries around the world,” Neeman said in an email.
“Now more than ever, employees are looking to their employers for support in all areas of their life,” Neeman added. “This includes the family-building journey. If employees are being cared for and have what they need to live their best lives, they’re able to come into work and focus on doing what they do best: innovating on behalf of customers.”
New York City-based Maven Clinic is a digital health company for employers that offers support for the full spectrum of women’s reproductive health: fertility and family building, maternity, parenting and menopause. It also cares for LGBTQ+ employees. Amazon will cover the cost for its global employees to use Maven Clinic’s fertility and family building services (such as egg freezing, in-vitro fertilization, adoption or surrogacy).
The company chose Maven Clinic specifically because it personalizes its treatment for patients, Neeman said.
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“Maven is an employee-friendly benefit that takes the guesswork out of the family-building process, which can often be confusing and overwhelming,” she said. “Our benefits are designed to care for all our employees’ needs, and that means ensuring they have the resources they need regardless of their personal circumstances. Maven’s approach to fertility and family-building supports our employees around the world and is tailored to each person.”
The partnership comes at a time when one in six adults worldwide struggle with infertility, according to the World Health Organization. Global companies are in need of global support, said Chris Hicks, senior vice president of employer growth at Maven Clinic.
“I think what we see is that fertility benefits in the U.S. have really gone mainstream, and lots of our companies that we work with are offering some sort of fertility benefit support in the U.S.,” Hicks said in an interview. “What these multinational companies are seeing is that a lot of the gaps that exist in the U.S. and the brick and mortar system actually exist in all these countries around the world. Family building journeys are never easy. There are lots of challenges and in many cases, it can be more difficult outside of the U.S. because of the legal differences across countries, because of the limitations that individuals may have in accessing public care that’s available.”
Amazon is providing Maven’s services to its employees in parts of Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
These employees will have unlimited access to Maven’s virtual specialists like OB/GYNs and reproductive endocrinologists (virtual care is offered in 35 languages). Employees will also be able to communicate with care advocates, who can help them navigate “the local regulatory and healthcare landscape to understand what’s available,” Hicks said. The navigators can refer patients to local fertility clinics, as well as surrogacy and adoption agencies, if needed.
In addition, employees will have access to online classes and articles on topics including fertility and managing stress. Amazon and Maven Clinic declined to share the business model of their relationship.
Other fertility and family building companies include Kindbody and Carrot Fertility, both of which also appear to have a global presence.
Photo: Natali_Mis, Getty Images
